GENERATOR

PROTECTION

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 GENERATOR AND ITS PROTECTION

The core of an electrical power system is the generator. There are power units based
on steam, gas, naphtha, water power, diesel engine drive and wind mills. The range of size
extends from a few hundred KVA (or even less) for engine-driven and hydro sets up to
turbine driven sets exceeding 500MVA in rating.

Small and medium sized sets may be directly connected to the distribution system.
A larger unit is usually associated with an individual transformer, transmission system. No
switchgear is provided between the generator and transformer may be tapped off the
interconnection for the supply of power to auxiliary plant. Provision of a breaker in
between Generator and Transformer makes it possible to draw power for the auxiliaries
through the UAT from the EHV bus, even when machine is not in service. Typical
arrangements are given in figure............

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 Protection of 6.6 KV system in generating stations:

Major Thermal Stations auxiliaries are fed from 6.6 KV bus which is connected by
a 220/6.6KV Station Transformers and Generation voltage/6.6 KV Unit Auxiliary
Transformers.

Station Transformers:

The vector group of these transformers is Star-Delta i.e. the 6.6 KV system is delta
connected.
Or
The vector group of these transformers is Star-Star with the 6.6KV side grounded
through a high resistance.

Unit Auxilary Transformers :

The vector group of these transformers is Delta – Star (ungrounded Star on 6.6KV
System).

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 Any earth fault on the 6.6 KV system cannot be seen by any E/L relay (since the
6.6 KV system is delta connected or high resistance grounded or ungrounded
Star).However 3-O/L relays are provided on the 6.6KV side of the Station
Transformers and Unit Auxilary Transformers . An open-delta voltage of the 6.6
KV bus PT is connected to an over voltage relay with a very low setting. Any earth
fault on the 6.6 KV system will cause the presence of open-delta voltage and make
the voltage relay operate which is connected to give alarm. The faulty 6.6 KV
feeder can be identified by tripping the 6.6 KV outlets one after the other.

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 Generator Protection – Various Functions

Generating units are the source of the power system and their security against any
adverse conditions is most important in the system. The generator protection must ensure a
fast and selective detection of any fault in order to minimize their dangerous effects.

Protection of passive elements like transmission lines and transformers is relatively

simple which involves isolation of faulty element from the system, whereas protection of
generators involves tripping of generator field breaker, generator breaker and turbine.

Generator Protections are broadly classified into three types.

CLASS – A :- This covers all electrical protections for faults within the generating
unit in which generator field breaker, generator breaker and turbine
should be tripped.

CLASS – B:- this covers all mechanical protections of the turbine in which turbine
will be tripped first and following this generator will trip on reverse
power / low forward power protections.

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CLASS – C:- This covers electrical protection for faults in the system in which
generator will be unloaded by tripping of generator breaker only.
The unit will come to house load operation and the UAT will be in
service. Various protections of this class are:

i) 220 KV (HV side of Generator Transformer) busbar

protection.
ii) Generator Transformer HV side breaker pole discrepancy.
iii) Generator negative phase sequence protection
iv) Generator Transformer over current / Earth fault protection
v) Reverse power protection without turbine trip.

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1) Generator Differential Protection (87 G): -

It is unit type protection, covering the stator winding for phase to phase faults due
to breakdown of insulation between stator phase windings. This relay is not
sensitive for single line to earth faults as the earth fault current is limited due to the
high neutral earthing resistance.

If CTs of identical ratios are used on neutral and line side of generator, an operating
current setting of 20% it can be adopted. It is instantaneous in operation and it trips
the generator breaker (Class – A) to eliminate the system in – feed to the fault along
with field breaker and turbines.

For all machines of ratings 10 MVA and above, this protection shall be provided.

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 OVERALL DIFFERENTIAL RELAY
STATOR WINDINGS GEN. TRANSFORMER CTs
CTs

.
OC
OC OC

RC

RC

RC

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2) Generator – Transformer Differential Protection (87T):-

This is similar to Generator Differential Protection, which covers from the

generator terminals upto the HV breaker of generator transformer. . Sometimes
this relay is not provided where Generator and Generator Transformer Overall
Differential relay (87O) is provided.

87G & 87T functions should have the features of through fault restraint,
magnetising inrush restraint.

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3) Generator & Generator Transformer Overall Differential Protection (87O):

Besides generator differential and generator transformer differential, an overall

differential relay can be provided between generator neutral side CTs and generator
transformer Hv side CTs (and HV side CTs of UAT if provided) covering both
generator and generator transformer. The principle of operation of above relay is
similar to any differential relay and it is also termed as unit differential relay.

4) Backup impedance Protection (21G):-

This operates for phase faults in the unit, in the HV yard or in the adjacent
transmission lines, with a suitable time delay. It operates as a backup when the
corresponding main protection fails.

In A.P. System the reach is set as 120% of generator transformer with a time delay
of about 1.0 to 1.5 Sec.

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5) Voltage restrained overcurrent protection (51 / 27 G):-

This will operate when the fault current from the generator terminals becomes low
due to excitation system characteristic with under voltage criteria.

It operates as a backup protection for system faults with suitable time delay.

6) Negative phase sequence protection (46 G):-

It safeguards the generator rotor against over heating caused by the induced double
frequency (100 Hz) currents when negative phase sequence currents are present in
the stator. The negative phase sequence current(I2) can appear due to unbalanced
single phase loads or transmission line unsymmetrical faults.

It should be set according the Negative Phase Sequence capability of the generator.

I2**2 xt = 30 for Thermal Units

= 40 for Hydro Units

Alarm stage can be set at 50% of continuous withstand capability of the machine
with a time delay of 3 to 5 Sec.

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7) Generator overloads protection (51G);-

It is used as an additional check of the stator winding temperature high protection.

The relay can be connected

For alarm with a setting of 110% .

For trip with a setting of 125% with due time delay

8) Generator Stator Earth Fault Protection (64G):-

The high neutral earthing resistance arrangement limits the generator earth fault
current, minimising the damage to core laminations. Although a single phase earth
fault is not critical, it requires clearance within a short time due to:

i) It may develop into a phase to phase fault

ii) If a second earth fault occurs the current is not longer limited by the
earthing resistor.

iii) Fire may result from earth fault arc.

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 a) 95% stator earth fault protection (64G1):-

It is an over voltage relay monitoring the voltage developed across the

secondary of the neutral grounding transformer in case of ground faults. It
covers generator, LV winding of generator transformer and HV winding of
UAT. A pickup voltage setting of 5% is adopted with a time delay setting of
about 1.0 Sec. For all machines of ratings 10 MVA and above this shall be
provided.

b) 100% stator earth fault protection (64G2);-

This is a 3rd harmonic U/V relay. It protects 100% of stator winding.

During the machine running condition there will be certain third harmonic
voltage at neutral side of the generator.This 3rd harmonic voltage will come
down when a stator earth fault occurs causing this relay to operate. This
shall have voltage check or current check unit, to prevent faulty operation of
the relay at generator stand still or during the machine running down period.

9) Loss of Excitation (40G):-

In case of loss of excitation, the generator goes out of synchronism and starts
running asynchronously at a speed higher than the system, absorbing reactive
power from the system. Under these conditions, the stator end regions and part of
the rotor get over heated.
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 This protection shall have:

i) Mho characteristic lying in 3rd and 4th quadrants of impedance diagram with
adjustable reach and offset.

ii) An under voltage and / or overcurrent relay as additional check.

iii) A timer with adjustable range of 1-10 Sseconds.

Recommended Settings:-

- Diameter of Mho circle =Xd

- Off set of Mho circuit from the origin = xd1/2
- Time delay = 1 Sec.
- Under voltage relay = 110 – 115% of
generator rated current

10) Low Forward Power Relay (37G):-

In thermal machines, when the steam flow through turbine is interrupted by closing
the ESVs or the governor valves, the remaining steam in the turbine generates (low)
power and the machine enters to motoring conditions drawing power from the
system. This protection detects low forward power conditions of the generator and
trips generator breaker after a time delay, avoiding motoring of generator.
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 The low forward power relay will be provided with ‘turbine trip’ interlock in
thermal machines. A setting of 0.5% of rated active power of generator with a time
delay of 2.0 Sec. shall be adopted.

11) Reverse Power relay (32G):-

Reverse power protection shall be used for all types of generators. When the input
to the turbine is interrupted the machine enters into motoring condition
drawing power from the system. Reverse power relay protects the generators from
motoring condition. In thermal machines, reverse power condition appears
subsequent to low forward power condition.

For reverse power relay, a setting of 0.5% of rated active power of generator with 2
stage timer as given below.

i) Stage – I: - With turbine trip interlock, a time delay of 2 Sec. shall

be adopted.

ii) Stage – II:- Without ‘ turbine trip’ interlock, a time delay of about
20 Sec. can be adopted to avoid unnecessary tripping of unit
during system disturbance causing sudden rise in frequency
or power swing conditions.

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12) Rotor earth fault protection: -
This protection shall be provided for machines of all sizes. This protection shall be
connected for alarm and the operator may take the machine at the earliest
opportunity after the first earth fault has occurred.

This protection will have a sensitive voltage function operating on bridge

measurement basis with auxiliary equipment. It will have two levels, one for alarm
and one for trip. The settings adopted in general are:

i) For alarm : 25 KJ Ohm, 1.0 Sec.

ii) For trip : 5 K Ohm, 0.5 Sec.

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 A modern generating unit is a complex system comprising the generator stator
winding and associated transformer and unit transformer, the rotor with its field
winding and exciters, and the turbine and its associated condenser and boiler
complete with auxiliary fans and pumps. Faults of many kinds can occur within this
system for which diverse protection applied will be governed by economic
considerations, taking into account the value of the machine and its importance to
the power system as a whole

13) Pole Slip Relay (98 G):-

The pole slipping relay is designed to protect synchronous generators against the
possibility of the machine running unstable region of the ‘power angle curve’ which
would result in power oscillations and pole slip. Pole slipping of generators with
respect to the system leading to an increase in rotor angular position beyond the
generator transient stability limits. Some of the causes for pole slipping are as
follows.

i) Large network disturbance

ii) Faults on the network close to the generator.
iii) Loss of generator field.
iv) Operating the generator in an excessive under excited mode.
v) Loss of evacuation.

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Setting recommendations:-

a) If the source of oscillation lies between generator/transformer unit, the machine has
to be isolated from the network after the first slip.

Forward reach of relay characteristics shall cover generator/generator transformer.

Tripping in this zone shall be in the first pole slip. The reach of this zone is =0.7x d’
b) If the source of oscillation lies outside the unit in the network, the generator should
not be switched off until several pole slips have recurred.

14) Generator Under Frequency Protection (81 G):

The Under Frequency Protection:

- Prevents the steam turbine and generator from exceeding the permissible operating
time at reduced frequencies.

- Ensures that the generating unit is separated from the network at a preset value of
frequency.

- Prevent overfluxing (v/f) of the generator (large overfluxing for short times).

The stator under frequency relay measures the frequency of the stator terminal
voltage.

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Setting Recommendations:-

For Alarm : 48.0 Hz, 2.0 Sec. time delay.

For Trip : 47.5 Hz, 1.0 Sec. (or)

As recommended by Generator Manufacturers.

15) Generator Over voltage Protection (59 G):

An over voltage on the terminals of the generator can damage the insulator of the
generator, bus ducting, breakers, generator transformer and auxiliary equipment.
Hence over voltage protection should be provided for machines of all sizes.

Settings recommendations:-
Stage-I : Over voltage pickup = 1.15 x Un
Time delay = 10 Sec.

State-II : Over voltage pickup = 1.3 x Un

Time delay = 0.5 Sec.

16) Standby Earth Fault Protection (51 NGT):

This relay monitors the current in the generator transformer neutral. It can detect
earth faults in the Transformer HV side or in the adjacent network.

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Setting recommendations:-
As this relay pickup for faults in the system, it has to be time graded with the transmission
lines emanating from that generating station. Normally IDMT relay is provided

Operating Current Setting = 20% In

Operating Time = 1.5 to 2.0 Sec.
(or)
Greater than (max.) Zone-3 time of adjacent
Transmission Lines.

The following hazards require consideration.

a) Stator insulation faults

b) Overload
c) Overvoltage
d) Unbalanced loading
e) Rotor faults
f) Loss of excitation
g) Loss of synchronism
h) Failure of prime mover
i) Low vacuum
j) Lubrication oil failure
k) Loss of boiler firing
l) Overspeeding
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m) Rotor distortion
n) Difference in expansion between rotating and stationary parts
o) Excessive vibration

Small capacity induction generators also are in service, mostly mini hydel and
windmills of capacity of 200KW to 2000KW, which depend on the system for excitation.
Their protection requirements are very simple such as overcurrent relays.
The protective relays generally used for the synchronous generators are listed at in
the following page.
Instead of independent relays for each function, microprocessor based numerical
relay, which can take care of the entire Generator protections the latest entry.

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 PROTECTIVE SCHEMES FOR VARIOUS GENERATORS
Functions Steam & Hydro
Gas Turbines Turbines
Small Medium Large Small Medium Large
(<10 (10-100 (>100 (<10 (10-100 (>100
MVA) MVA) MVA) MVA) MVA) MVA)
Differential Y Y Y Y Y Y
95% Stator E/F Y Y Y Y Y Y
100% Stator E/F N Y/N Y N Y/N Y
Interturn Faults Y Y Y Y Y Y
Backup Impedance N Y Y N Y Y
Voltage controlled O/C Y N N Y N N
Negative Sequence Y Y Y Y Y Y
Field Failure Y Y Y Y Y Y
Reverse Power Y Y Y Y Y Y
Pole Slipping N N Y N N Y
Overload N N N Y Y Y
Over voltage Y Y Y Y Y Y
Under frequency Y Y Y Y Y Y
Dead machine N N Y N N Y
Rotor Earth Fault Y Y Y Y Y Y
Overfluxing N Y Y N Y Y

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